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Ladies, November is here, and things do not feel any less crazy than the last time we spoke. I had this editorial all written. I wrote about all the ways I have seen the community come together. This issue is full of positive stories of how this community has pulled together as a healthy community. The articles in this issue are genuinely impressive.
Nevertheless, my first draft wasn’t authentic.
I was born and raised in the Chippewa Valley, moved away for college and work, but have now been back for over 22 years. The Chippewa Valley is my home and the community where I choose to raise my family.
Over the past few weeks, I felt discouraged by my community, and I couldn’t push forward with the first editorial. I am taking a lesson from my very own Amazing Grace, so please indulge me as I try to be vulnerable and honest with all of you.
Yesterday, I was overwhelmed with a heavy, ugly sadness. I mean, ladies, this was not-getting-out-of-my-pajamas ugly. It was tough. I felt like I was kicked in the stomach. I was working on this Community Connection issue, and the last thing I felt was a sense of community. Unfortunately, my children’s school had to suspend in-person learning and has transitioned to virtual for the next few weeks. There has been an increase in cases of Covid; for the safety and well being of students, staff, and administration, the best possible solution was put into place. I mistakenly went onto the Facebook page of the local news outlet that released information (even before I got the email of what was going on). The comments and vitriol and disdain for this small school community overwhelmed me. As I continued to read, I sunk deeper and deeper into an ugly pool of self-pity and sadness for our community. I was mortified by some of the horrible things being said about our kids, our school, and our families. What struck me the most was comments made by people I know and who know my kids and will ask about them when they see me out in the community. Then, to see those same people say the things they were saying were so disheartening. I was astounded that people seemed almost gleeful that our school children within their community were struggling and sick. Typically, I try not to get caught up in this type of prattle, but it was leaving a mark this time. Honestly, folks, this was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. In the past few months, the community has seemed more divided than ever before. While walking my dog, I saw that someone had placed a sign in their yard wishing death on the newest potential Justice. Regardless of politics, how have we come to the point that we are wishing harm to others and then posting them in our yards? I don’t care what side of the political aisle on which you fall, this type of behavior lacks human decency and any sense of community.
I continued wallowing and ruminating on all the nastiness in the world. I was being nudged by a friend and by Jon to go for a run. I begrudgingly laced up my shoes and did the best thing I knew to pull myself out of the cesspool of community despair: I hit the road. While I ran, I listened to an excerpt from Rising Strong by Brené Brown; in this particular section, she discussed the principle of people doing the best they can. She posed the question, Do you think overall people are doing the best they can? The reactions she received, including from herself, were varied. However, the general premise is if we can go through life with the assumption that people are doing their best, it will allow us to move through life more smoothly. (I am very much oversimplifying this. I encourage all my readers to read Rising Strong by Brené Brown.) By the end of my run, I was thinking more clearly. I could see once again the fantastic community of people who have come together in the most challenging of years.
The conclusion (or rationale) I came to on my run and with the help of my new best friend, Brené, is my community and the people here are doing the best they can. Fear and anxiety can come out in anger and hate. Individually, we must strive to get to a place where we believe that we are all doing the best we can. Our empathy, overall humanity, and compassion for our community will be stronger than our resentment. I love the Chippewa Valley and am so proud to see how we have rallied and helped one another in these unprecedented times. I know many friends and family on the front lines, and their dedication and service to keep us safe are amazing. I know many small businesses, including my own, are trying to weather this very long storm. I see the community rallying behind the small businesses and doing what we can to help them out.
As we go into the next few weeks and holiday season, I am sure things will only be more challenging and strained. As a community, let’s help one another out. Let’s attempt to assume we are doing our best. Let’s shop locally more than ever before. Let’s help families who need community support. Let’s eat out locally and smile more. In a world that will be crazy, let’s be the community that weathers this ugly storm better and stronger together. I am so grateful for all my advertisers; in a very challenging year for all of us, I am happy that 5ive could help your business. Without you, there is no 5ive for Women. Thank you to our faithful readers who lift us every issue. To my contributors and women and families who bravely share their stories in efforts to help others in our community, thank you. To my excellent small staff, you make it all fun, and thanks for always saddling up for whatever journey I decide to take us on. Whatever happens, I know that the journey continues in faith, family, friends, fitness, and finance.
Jen Theisen
